In an electrifying display of speed and determination, Odisha’s sprinter Dondapati Jayaram struck gold in the men’s Under-20 100m final at the 39th National Junior Athletics Championship, held at the iconic Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. The 19-year-old, competing in front of his home crowd, achieved a personal best timing of 10.5 seconds, cementing his place as one of India’s brightest young sprinting talents.
Jayaram’s victory was made even more special as he achieved it at his home ground, amidst roaring cheers from local supporters. This victory not only secured him the gold medal but also marked a personal milestone in his career, improving his previous record. Known for his contributions to the Indian 4x100m relay teams that won bronze at the Asian U-20 Championships in 2023 and 2024, Jayaram’s performance at Kalinga Stadium reinforces his reputation as a rising star in Indian athletics.
Following closely behind Jayaram were two athletes from Maharashtra. Laukik Melge claimed the silver medal, while Harsh Raut secured the bronze, adding to the competitive spirit of the championship. In the women’s U-20 100m category, Tamil Nadu’s Abhinaya Rajarajan emerged as the fastest runner, clocking an impressive 11.66 seconds to win gold. Her timing not only secured her the top spot but also equaled the national record set by Indian sprinting sensation Dutee Chand. Rajarajan’s victory highlighted her exceptional talent and potential in women’s athletics.
The U-20 100m men’s medal ceremony was graced by notable dignitaries, including B.K. Swain, the Additional Secretary of DSYS (Department of Sports and Youth Services), Odisha, and Anuradha Biswal, an Olympian from Odisha. Their presence underscored the state’s commitment to fostering athletic excellence and celebrating the achievements of young athletes.
In an electrifying display of speed and determination, Odisha’s sprinter Dondapati Jayaram struck gold in the men’s Under-20 100m final at the 39th National Junior Athletics Championship, held at the iconic Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. The 19-year-old, competing in front of his home crowd, achieved a personal best timing of 10.5 seconds, cementing his place as one of India’s brightest young sprinting talents.
Jayaram’s victory was made even more special as he achieved it at his home ground, amidst roaring cheers from local supporters. This victory not only secured him the gold medal but also marked a personal milestone in his career, improving his previous record. Known for his contributions to the Indian 4x100m relay teams that won bronze at the Asian U-20 Championships in 2023 and 2024, Jayaram’s performance at Kalinga Stadium reinforces his reputation as a rising star in Indian athletics.
Following closely behind Jayaram were two athletes from Maharashtra. Laukik Melge claimed the silver medal, while Harsh Raut secured the bronze, adding to the competitive spirit of the championship. In the women’s U-20 100m category, Tamil Nadu’s Abhinaya Rajarajan emerged as the fastest runner, clocking an impressive 11.66 seconds to win gold. Her timing not only secured her the top spot but also equaled the national record set by Indian sprinting sensation Dutee Chand. Rajarajan’s victory highlighted her exceptional talent and potential in women’s athletics.
The U-20 100m men’s medal ceremony was graced by notable dignitaries, including B.K. Swain, the Additional Secretary of DSYS (Department of Sports and Youth Services), Odisha, and Anuradha Biswal, an Olympian from Odisha. Their presence underscored the state’s commitment to fostering athletic excellence and celebrating the achievements of young athletes.
